In a blink-and-you’ll miss it tease, BMW has released more images of its M3-esque VDX Concept, confirming that testing is still ongoing on the not-for-production ‘Vision Vehicle.’
The BMW Vision Driving Experience – code-named ‘ZA0’ – was revealed as a more dynamic follow-up to the Vision Neue Klasse Concept (on which the all-electric 3 Series will be built) back in February, and while BMW is adamant the VDX is simply a “test rig” and “not available for purchase,” it’s highly likely that the VDX will heavily inspired the first all-electric M3, and could even be one of three world premieres the Bavarian brand promised for this year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este.
Turns Out Those LED Aero Covers Were Hiding Dual-Spoke Alloys
Few details have been provided at all about the BMW M concept, with a statement confirming only that “testing the BMW Vision Driving Experience” continues. Eagle-eyed BMW fans, however, have spotted a few changes to the still-heavily camouflaged bodywork since the VDX was last revealed.
The center lock wheels, for example, no longer boast their LED-lit aero covers, and we can now see dual-spoke alloys within the flared wheel arches. The VDX also sits particularly close to the road, a nod to the active aerodynamics and suitably enormous split rear diffuser that combined, BMW claims, could create an astounding 2,646 pounds of downforce and potentially lateral forces “exceeding 3G.” We also get a better look at the polarizing rear spoiler (this aspect of the designs seems to have divided fans the most online) that’s been built directly into the body (complete with integrated LED taillamps, and something not featured on the 2023 Vision Neue Klasse concept) and an incredibly wide rear axle – note the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R tires – that suggests traction out of the corners shouldn’t be an issue! Nor, for that matter, will straight-line speed.
Testing Continues On ‘Heart Of Joy’
Unsurprisingly, drivetrain details have also been kept on the down low, though BMW claims its electric quad-motor setup could develop an eye-watering 13,269 pound-feet of wheel torque, a sky-high figure similar to the 11,500-pound-feet figure GMC claimed would be available on the all-electric Hummer. Combined power from the four motors, meanwhile, is said to be around 1,300-plus horsepower. Don’t get too excited though, as a production all-electric M3, which could break cover in late 2027, is likely to feature ‘only’ around half that total.
If you’re wondering what the point of the VDX Concept is, other than to whet the electric appetites of M fans worldwide, it’s essentially a proving ground for what BMW calls, in slightly nauseating fashion, the ‘Heart of Joy,’ a software responsible for managing acceleration, braking, vehicle stabilization, dynamic steering, and battery charging at the same time. And one can only imagine how effective that would be on an electric M3.
Usually this would be done by three or four different interfaces, but to reduce complexity, introduce fail-safes and make the entire system more efficient, BMW says this can now be done by one in-house-built ‘Heart’ that can process information 10 times fasters than current, third-party suppliers. Moreover, the Heart of Joy is also designed to imbue every future electric BMW built on the Neue Klasse architecture with “BMW’s characteristic driving pleasure.”
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